Project Summary

Stan B. Floresco, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of University of Pittsburgh, will examine the regulation of prefrontal cortical function by neurons from a specific region of the thalamus called the mediodorsal region.  In addition, the regulatory role that dopamine plays in these processes at the cellular and behavioral level will be examined.  Studies of electrical currents will use recordings within cells from rat prefrontal cortex neurons, in order to investigate how neurons in the thalamus regulate both excitatory and inhibitory states of these cells.  Subsequent studies will assess the importance of dopamine which is released from the midbrain to the cortex.  This work may provide important new insights into the abnormal processes that underlie schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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